First isotopic characterization of the planet neolithic Pb-Cu reduction workshop (Fayet/Cénomes mining district, aveyron, france)

• This study documents one of the earliest metallurgical sites in France, currently under archaeological excavation. • This study sets up a reusable lead isotope reference to help trace metal production origins across research projects. • It includes a detailed investigation of surrounding mining sites. • It contributes to the understanding of the geological contexts of the southern Massif Central. Excavations at the Planet site have uncovered a substantial multi-stratified complex dedicated to copper and lead metallurgy, including several workshops that operated between 2850 and 2480 BCE. Situated in the southern Massif Central, near deposits rich in copper, lead, antimony, and silver, the site marks a significant development in early copper and lead metallurgy by late Neolithic communities. This article aims to enhance archaeological and mineralogical analyses of the metallurgical process by providing a first isotopic characterization of excavated materials, specifically key elements in the production chain: ores, slags, and metal. Additionally, we present an initial isotopic comparison of lead with samples from nearby deposits. This study deepens our understanding of the site’s local resource sourcing while establishing a preliminary reference framework for comparing analyses of contemporaneous artifacts from the region.